Lionel Messi Wins FIFA Men's Player of the Year Award

Milan, September 23, 2019:

Argentine legend Lionel Messi won the FIFA Men's Player of the Year award on Monday in FIFA The Best Football Awards at La Scala opera house in Milan.

Megan Rapinoe from the United States took the women's prize to cap a historic year for the United States team, which had earlier won the women's World Cup.

Barcelona forward Messi's victory in Milan was a surprise as he edged out Virgil Van Dijk, who had won the UEFA player's award in August after helping Liverpool to the Champions League last season.

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Both Messi and Megan are in the running for the Ballon d'Or, the highest honor in football.

Apart from Messi and Van Dijk, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo had also been shortlisted for the prestigious award.

This is the first time that Messi has won the award, which was instituted in 2016.

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